Puberty can be a difficult time for children. Not quite kids anymore and not really adolescents they are caught in the middle in type of limbo. It is a sad time for many young people too. Many look back at their childhood and realise that they can never really act the same way yet they look ahead and realise that adolescence will present them with its own peculiar challenges.
Children are reaching adolescence earlier than ever. The World Health Organisation estimates that in developing countries puberty begins about three months earlier every ten years. It is a stage when the maturity gap between girls and boys is quite evident - about two years.
Puberty is a time of immense body changes. The male and sex hormones are different and set off different development in girls and boys. Bodily changes are more evident for girls are accompanied by huge mood swings, which can be disconcerting fro parents. The onset of puberty is not so obvious for boys. The first physical sign boys may notice is the enlargement of the testes, followed by growth of pubic hair. Testosterone, the male hormone, also affects mood swings but it arguably leads to increased energy and boisterousness. Many parents discover that their pre-teen son delights in wrestling with siblings or even his father in what is a sort of test of strength. Paradoxically, many early teen boys need more sleep and eat parents out of house and home.
Pre teens have a need for greater privacy so they spend more and more time in bedrooms, locked in bathrooms or arguing with younger siblings about personal space.
During puberty peers begin to assume increasing importance in young people's lives. Their opinions, their dress and appearance is increasingly influenced by their friends. It can be hurtful for a parent to discover that you are less influential than your child's friends, particularly if you enjoyed a close relationship when they were younger. It is a time when the telephone often becomes usurped, particularly by girls. Incidentally, girls can be quite cruel to each other at this age forming friendship groups along extremely exclusive lines.
It is time for parents to be a little circumspect ? a time for guidance and influence rather than control. Make no mistake children during this time of change need their parents more than ever. The way you go about helping them changes - subtle, gentle guidance is often required.
This particular stage provides a window of opportunity for parents. It is a time to help prepare your child for adolescence and even adulthood. It is a time for parents to establish a relationship based on mutual respect and shared interest. And it is the start of an exciting period in your child's development that requires thoughtful and smart parenting.
Michael Grose is The Parent Coach. For seventeen years he has been helping parents deal with the rigours of raising kids and survive!! For information about Michael's Parent Coaching programs or just some fine advice and ideas to help you raise confident kids and resilient teenagers visit http://www.parentingideas.com.au
Q. With another school year starting, we are not sure... Read More
Child Safety Restraints and children in work vehiclesIf you take... Read More
Is it hard to communicate with your teenager about issues... Read More
In memory of 14 year old Matthew Smith; 11 year... Read More
Many parents would like to homeschool their children but are... Read More
As a parent, you can learn a lot about your... Read More
You can learn a lot from children.The best part of... Read More
Dads, please let me encourage you to change some things... Read More
It is human nature to feel competitive and envious toward... Read More
The big yellow school bus is coming down my road... Read More
Dear Sir, It was with some interest that I read... Read More
If you really want to get your children to eat... Read More
A common theme over the past 20 years has been... Read More
Anyone can splurge on a formal dinner or a pricey... Read More
We've got spirit, yes we do! We've got spirit how... Read More
Ok. So you're a dad to be. If you're like... Read More
It is so important to create an environment that promotes... Read More
Back in college, I wrote for a five-day-a-week, award-winning campus... Read More
As parents, we want our children and teens to grow... Read More
Can you draw a straight line? Most adults don't consider... Read More
What one word best sums up summer fun? Water. I... Read More
Unfortunately each year many young children drown in swimming pools,... Read More
To the untrained eye, it might look like a piece... Read More
Do you want to create a deeper, more loving relationship... Read More
Something eerily familiar happened in KwaZulu-Natal's Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park in Africa... Read More
What do you do when your child begins talking to... Read More
How would you like to have more time? Of course... Read More
Recently, our family had the opportunity to care for sisters'... Read More
``Mom, can I go to the mall with my friend... Read More
Dear Sir, It was with some interest that I read... Read More
Memorabilia ? Children can create enough artwork for an entire... Read More
We all know that using cloth nappies is best for... Read More
At first I thought of titling this article "The Lazy... Read More
We know that you want your little guy or gal... Read More
Being a single mother is no easy task. I know.... Read More
Before going further into choosing computers for children, I believe... Read More
The key to lifelong learning is reading and writing. When... Read More
Self esteem in an important quality for all children to... Read More
There is nothing quite like hiking with small children. The... Read More
Anorexia nervosa is a serious medical disorder that is statistically... Read More
One of the most prevalent problems of the computer age... Read More
It's that time again! Parent-teacher conferences are coming. Are you... Read More
The first year of a child's life is the most... Read More
Traditionally, babies have been named at a christening/baptism.... Read More
Q. With the school year just beginning, what can we... Read More
School authorities often complain that classes are too large. They... Read More
You can learn a lot from children.The best part of... Read More
Vouchers, which give tax money to parents to pay for... Read More
For first time parents choosing a swing set or outdoor... Read More
For many adults, reading a book or newspaper seems effortless.... Read More
You're trying to catch up on some sleep on a... Read More
Graphology for Child development.:- Graphology is the science of understanding... Read More
Dexedrine is not prescribed very often for the treatment of... Read More
It was the homework that did it. Each night became... Read More
A friend phoned her neighbor, complaining about the wafts of... Read More
In "The Ring Bear," a picture book by Tigard resident... Read More
Teachers know that children thrive in an environment with routines,... Read More
The advances in science over the past century have been... Read More
Here is something that you might want to keep if... Read More
The subject of competition is one that provokes some pretty... Read More
During one "generation gap" quarrel with his parents young Michael... Read More
Why Me?"We should certainly count our blessings, but we should... Read More
Q. I don't like my children spending so much time... Read More
In our last issue we posted some of our suggested... Read More
Since so many would rather avoid the use of stimulant... Read More
Be aware. You may become totally overwhelmed when you get... Read More
Parenting |